Chemical constituents of Polygala tenuifolia

Objective To investigate the chemical constituents of Polygala tenuifolia. Methods Silica gel column and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography were used to separate and purify the chemical constituents. The structures were elucidated by spectral data. Results Six compounds were isolated and identified as: 2-hydroxy-4, 6-dimethoxybenzophone (hydrocotoin, Ⅰ), 1, 7-dihydroxy-3-methoxyxanthone (Ⅱ), 1, 7-dihydroxy-2, 3-dimethoxyxanthone (Ⅲ), α-spinasterol (Ⅳ), 1, 5-anhydro-D-sorbitol (polygitol Ⅴ) and benzoic acid (Ⅵ). Conclusion Compound Ⅳ is isolated from the plant and compound Ⅰ is isolated from the plants of Polygala L. both for the first time.